Streaking Braves to get Acuna back for DH vs. Nats
After flexing their offensive muscle in a three-game sweep in Boston, the Atlanta Braves will get another piece of their lineup back on Friday when outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returns from a hamstring issue, just in time to start a four-game series in Washington. The Braves will send veteran Josh Tomlin in the nightcap against the Nationals’ Wil Crowe.
After flexing their offensive muscle in a three-game sweep in Boston, the
Atlanta Braves will get another piece of their lineup back on Friday when
outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returns from a hamstring issue, just in time to
start a four-game series in Washington.
Acuna is batting .266 with five homers, but hasn’t played since leavingSunday’s game against Philadelphia in the second inning. He missed two weeksearlier this season because of left wrist inflammation.
The series begins with doubleheader of two seven-inning games on Friday, tomake up for an Aug. 19 rainout. The first game matches Atlanta’s Tommy Milone(1-4, 5.68) against Washington’s Austin Voth (0-4, 7.99). The Braves will sendveteran Josh Tomlin (1-2, 4.37) in the nightcap against the Nationals’ WilCrowe (0-1, 4.91).
Atlanta brings a four-game winning streak into the series and has won eight ofits last 11. The defending world champion Nationals have been struggling. Theyhave lost six straight and are 1-9 over the last 10 games. First-place Atlantaleads Washington by 9 1/2 games in the East.
The two clubs have split their only two meetings this season.
“The window of opportunity is closing, but I’m not going to put that kind ofpressure on these guys,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said.
Milone was added to the team at the trade deadline in an attempt to strengthenthe Atlanta rotation. The Braves gave up a pair of players to be named laterto Baltimore to acquire the veteran left-hander.
Milone’s first appearance for the Braves was not a success. Milone rushed tothe park to make a start against Philadelphia on Aug. 30. He was a spotted a10-0 lead in the second inning and frittered most of it away, surrenderingseven runs in 2 1/3 innings.
“Supposed to do my job and it didn’t work out today. Not chalking it up to thekind of whirlwind day it was, I just didn’t get the job done,” Milone said.
Despite the rough debut, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker is ready to see Miloneget another start.
“He’s a strike thrower. He’s a guy who’s been through the wars. We’ve got goodcatchers, we’re a good defensive team and that’s going to help a guy like thatwho’s a strike thrower,” Snitker said. “Putting him on our club may be verybeneficial for us.”
Tomlin was asked to move from the bullpen to the starting rotation on Aug. 18against Washington and he responded by allowing two runs in four innings. In11 1/3 innings as a starter, Tomlin has a 7.15 ERA. In nine career appearances(two starts) against Washington, Tomlin is 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA.
Voth managed to get through only two innings in his most recent start on Aug.30 against Boston. He allowed five runs in the 9-5 loss. It was the thirdconsecutive start in which he has allowed at least five runs. One of thosecame on Aug. 18 at Atlanta (five runs and nine hits allowed in four innings inno-decision), his only appearance against the Braves this season.
Crowe made his major league debut against the Miami Marlins on Aug. 22 andtook the loss. He threw 3 2/3 innings and allowed four runs, two earned. Crowewas the team’s second-round draft pick in 2017.
–Field Level Media